The word "doula" (doo-lah) comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth.
Studies have shown that when a doula attends a birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications and babies are healthier and breastfeed more easily. I believe that pregnancy and birth are normal, natural, and healthy phases of a woman’s life. My job as a doula is to comfort, encourage, reassure, and empathize with the laboring mother. Also to give advice to her partner on how to help, if needed. Your partner know's you and I know birth. Together we'll make a great team.
To avoid a conflict of interest, I am independent and self-employed, working directly for my clients and their families, and not for a provider or hospital.
Jennifer Snell - Only a few things in this world can compare to the beauty and majesty of a woman in labor.
I was born and raised in western Canada. In 2005, I had the opportunity to move to the US for college where I studied and gratuated with my accounting degree. I moved to Tennessee with my husband in 2009 where we started our journey as parents.
I began my journey as a birth doula in 2012 just after the birth of my second child because of the experience I had with my doula. As I found out what a doula was and how they can help mothers and families have a better, more positive birth experience, I knew that was what I needed to do. In January 2013, I did my training through DONA International and have been attending births since. I am also hoping to attend Midwifery Assistant training at The Farm Midwifery Center to help further my education.
My passion is to make sure women are informed about the choices they have and by doing so, help mothers (and their partner/family) have a more empowered and relaxed birth experience. I look to my personal experience, training, and study to provide well-rounded and continuous support.
